X-kay apparatus



' Fb` 16, 1943. l A. SIMMON I x-RAY APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1941 3Sheets-Sheet l Y .f m J6 3 l w fig.

.f l 2mm If I i um ,.flllll'l'g 40 EXW VWL 19 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1943. A@WON '2;311'581 l X-'RAY APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 2ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1943.

A. SIMMON x-RAY APPARATUS' Filed March 18, 1941 3 sheets-sheet 3 lINVENTOR ful-'E59 /MMd/V,

` ASIAN-WL ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEto Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 18, 1941, Serial No.383,897

(Cl. Z50-57) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to X-ray apparatus, and more particularlyto such apparatus for the making of radioiiuoroscopic examinationswherein the apparatus is readily changed at the will of the operator soas to adapt it to fluoroscopy or to the taking of a radiographicexposure.

Apparatus of this type has long been known to the art but has heretoforebeen of an exceedingly cumbersome nature, thus rendering movement of thevarious parts somewhat difcult due to inertia caused by their weight.

It is accordingly the primary object of the present invention to provideX-ray apparatus for the making of radiouoroscopic examinations which isof very simple construction and wherein the various parts can be movedwith great facility.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of X-rayapparatus for the making of iuoroscopio examinations and the taking ofradiographic exposures wherein the apparatus can be readily positionedfrom below the horizontal to vertical, and regardless of its particularposition the various parts can be moved with great facility to adapt theapparatus to either desired type of examination.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of aiiuoroscopic and radiographic carriage movable longitudinally of anexamination table which is held in any desired position by acounterbalance and wherein the counterbalance moves only a fraction ofthe distance of that of the carriage.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of auoroscopic and radiographic carriage provided with a counterweightediiuoroscope which simplifies positioning and the changing fromradiography to iluoroscopy because of decreased weight, thusfacilitating ease of movement in any position of the examination table.

Still further objects of the present invention will become obvious tothose skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawingswherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray apparatus for the making ofradiofluoroscopic examinations constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view partly in section as taken on the line II-II ofFig. 5 of the X-ray apparatus shown in Fig. 1 showing such apparatus inposition for the making of a radiographic exposure.

Fig. 3 is a partial end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 andshowing the apparatus in position for a iiuoroscopic examination of apatient.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the X-ray apparatus of the present invention asillustrated in Fig. l showing the examination table in the verticalposition.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on the line V-V of Fig. 2 and lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows but on a slightly enlargedscale.`

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5 and lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the apparatus shown in Fig.` 1comprises a base 5 provided with a pair of uprights or standards 6 tothe upper extremity of which a table top, shown generally at I, ispivotally supported by a shaft 8. The panel top 9 Ifor supporting apatient is formed of Bakelite, plywood, or the like, which is perviousto X-rays and is supported by small channel irons I0 (Fig. 2) and heldin place by small angle irons II. These small channel irons l0 are inturn secured to end plates I2 and I3 in the form of castings.

The cast end plate I3 is formed in three sections I4, I5, and I6, as canbest be seen from Fig. 5, with the two outer sections I4v and I5constituting quadrants through which the supporting shaft B passes andwhich are held together by the center section I5. A pair` of hollowtubes I'I and I8 are suspended between the cast end plates I2 and I3 forforming a raceway or track for a radiographic and fluoroscopic carriage,as hereinafter more fully described. The various cast sections of theend plate I3 are, as shown, completely concealed by a suitable coveringof sheet metal or the like I9.

For the purpose of positioning the table from the Trendelenberg to thevertical, the casting sections I4 and I6 are provided with a pluralityof recesses 20 adapted to be engaged by a .detent or pin 2|. When it isdesired to move the table top from one position to the other, theoperator merely treads upon a foot pedal 23 secured to a shaft 22 which,through a pair of lever arrangements 24, withdraws each detent 2| Aandby grasping the handle 25 (Fig. 1), the table is moved to the desiredposition after which the respective detents 2I again snap into anotherrecess 20 under the action of a pair of coil springs 26 (Fig. 5). Sincethe shaft 22 extends across the base 5 and is provided at each end witha foot pedal 23, the table can of course be raised by the operator fromeither side.

As is customary with radioiluorcsccpic X-ray apparatus, a cassette andBucky grid carriage 21 is provided which is movable longitudinally ofthe table on the underside of the panel top by a plurality of rollersengaging the small channel irons I0. In order to retain this carriage 21in any desired position, it is connected to` a pair of counterweights 28movable within the hollow tubes I1 and I8 (see Fig. 1), such connectionbeing effected through a small cable or the like 29 which passes aroundsuitable pulleys 30 journaled to the respective end castings I2 and lI3as well as similar pulleys in the ends of the tubes I1 and I8 (see Fig.2).

The radiofluoroscopic carriage, shown generally at 32, is formed with apair of sleeve bearings 33 provided with a plurality of rollers 34 toenable movement of the carriage longitudinally upon the hollow tubes orrace-way I1 and I8. As can be more readily seen in Fig. 5, the carriage32 is provided with' the customary fluoroscopic shutters 35 adjustableby suitable levers 36 (Fig. 1), and this carriage is movabletransversely of the table top upon rollers 31 carried by the sleevebearings 33 and engaging transversely extending channels 38.

To maintain the carriage 32 in any desired position longitudinally ofthe table, particularly when the table is in the vertical position, asuitable counterweight 39 is provided. Such counterweight 39 is alsoprovided with a plurality of rollers 40 (Figs. 5 and 6) to enable it tobe moved longitudinally of the hollow tubing or race-way I1 and I8 inunison with movement of the carriage 32. However, in order to conservespace and employ the same race-way for both the carriage andcounterweight, a reduction arrangement is provided which enables thecounterweight 39 to be `moved but a fractional part of the distancetravelled by the carriage 32. This reduction arrangement as showncomprises a shaft 42 journaled between the outside sections I4 and I 6of the end casting I3 which is provided With a sprocket gear 43.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, a sprocket gear 44 of the same size asthe gear 43 is journaled to the end plate I2 and a chain 45 passesaround these sprocket gears 43 and 44 and is secured to the carriage 32by clamps or the like 46. Thus, when the carriage 32 is movedlongitudinally of the table upon the hollow tubes or race-way I1 and I8,the chain and sprocket gear 43 cause rotation of the shaft 42. The shaft42 is also provided with a pair of sprocket gears 41 of a reduced gearratio, and in the present embodiment the ratio between the gear 43 andgears 41 is 2 to 1.

Suitably journaled to the end plate I3 are sprocket gears 48 of theidentical size as the sprocket gears 41. A chain 49 connects each pairof sprocket gears 41 and 48 with the chains 49 being connected to thecounterweight 39 by clamps or the like, similar to the manner ofconnecting the chain to the carriage 32. Accordingly, when the shaft 42is rotated in the manner previously described by movement of thecarriage 32 longitudinally ofthe table, the sprocket gears 41 alsocarried by the shaft 42 are rotated; and since these latter sprocketgears are engaged by the respective chains 49 which are connected to thecounterweight 39, the latter is also Amoved longitudinally of the table.However, since the counterweight is connected to the lower portion ofthe chains 49, the counterweight, although moved simultaneously with thecarriage, is moved in the opposite direction. Moreover, since the ratiobetween the sprocket gear 43 and gears 41 in the embodiment illustratedis 2 to l, the counterweight 39 is moved only half the distance of thatof the carriage 32. This arrangement, therefore, not only conservesconsiderable space, but also enables the hollow tubes or race-way I1 andI8 to be employed for the movement of both the carriage 32 andcounterweight 39.

By referencenow more particularly to Figs. l, 2, and 3, it will be notedthat the carriage 32 is pro'- vided with a vertically extending member50 to the extremity of which is pivotally connected a support carryingthe requisite elements for the making of a fluoroscopic examination aswell as the X-ray tube.A This support comprises a bifurcated yoke 52rotatable, as before mentioned, about a pivot point formed at theextremity of the vertically extending member with such yoke being heldin any desired radial position by means of a lock or the like 53.y Abifurcated frame member 54 is pivotally connected at 55 to the parallelarms of the yoke member 52, and a fluorescent screen 53 is in turnpivoted at 51 to the extremities of the arms ofthe frame 54.

In order to form a counterbalance for the frame 54 and fluorescentscreen 56, the high voltage transformer 58 `is connected to the oppositeextremities of the bifurcated frame member 54 to which the fluorescentscreen is connected. Thus, the screen frame 54 is pivotally connectednot only to the yoke member 52, but also to the high voltage transformer58. In addition, a pair of link members 59 are pivotally connected tothe transformer 58 and to the extremities of the yoke member 52. Theyoke member 52 is also formed with an integral projection 68 extendingin a Vertical plane which supports in a shockproof manner an X-ray tube62. The projection 69 at its extremity is provided with a bearingrotatable therein and to which the'X-ray tube supporting arms B3 aresecured.

As will be noted more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of insulatedhigh voltage cables 64 extend from the high voltage transformer 58through the X-ray tube supporting arms 63 and accordingly through thevertical projection 60. This arrangement allows rotation of the X-raytube supporting arms 63 about a pivot point formed in the extremity ofthe vertical projection 69 without entanglement of the high voltagecables 64 with the X-ray tube being held at any desired angle by meansof a lock 65.

The iiuoroscopic carriage 32 is thus readily adaptable to the making ofa fluoroscopic examination or the` taking of a radiographic exposure.With the apparatus in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the X-raytube 62 is positioned on the underside of the table top and thefluorescent screen 55 above the table. Since the carriage 32 is movableboth longitudinally and transversely of the table top, thercentgenologist can locate the fluorescent screen 55 and X-ray tube 52in alignment with any portion of a patients body it is desired toexamine. Also, the fluorescent screen can be moved into close proximityto the body of a patient since the screen 56 is not only movable aboutthe pivot 51 formed with the screen frame 54, but in addition the screenframe 54 is likewise movable about the pivot 55. When the screen frame54 is moved about this latter pivot 55, the high voltage transformer 58is raised or lowered due to the pivotal connection of the screen frame54 therewith, as well as because of the link arrangement 59 between thehigh voltage transformer and yoke member 52. Accordingly, the highvoltage transformer 58 functions as a counterbalance for the screenframe 54 and screen 56, maintaining the screen 56 in any desiredposition. The X-ray tube is accordingly energized and an image cast uponthe fluorescent screen.

Assuming now it is desired to take a radiographic exposure with thepatient still in a horizontal position, the fluorescent screen frame 54,together with its pivotally connected fluorescent screen 56, is moved toa vertical position as shown in the dotted lines of Fig. 3. At the sametime the screen frame 54 is moved to the vertical position, the highvoltage transformer 58 is likewise shifted in the manner shown by thedotted lines in Fig. 3. The carriage 32 is then moved to the `end of thetable top with the screen and tube being rotated about the pivotalconnection of the yoke member 52 with the vertically extending member50.

The X-ray tube 62 accordingly swings through an arc in the directionshown by the arrow in Fig. 1, passing out from under the table throughan opening provided in the end plate l2, as shown in Fig. 1, and at thesame time the fluorescent screen frame 54 and 56 are swung downwardly sothat the X-ray tube 62 is then positioned above the table top in themanner shown in Fig. 2 with the fluorescent screen, although positionedbelow the table top, being maintained in a vertical plane. Thisaccordingly enables the X-ray tube 62 to be energized with the X-rayspassing through the body of the patient, and an image thereof recordedon a sensitized lm housed within the cassette carried by the carriage 21disposed below the table top.

Again it will be noted that with the X-ray tube 62 now positioned abovethe table top, the transformer 58 still operates as a counterweight forthe assembly. It should also be noted that irrespective of whether theuoroscopic carriage 32 be in the position shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3, theentire table top which supports the carriage 32 can be rotated about itspivot point formed by the shaft 8 to a position as shown in Fig. 4.

Accordingly, the high voltage transformer 58 serves not only the purposeof supplying electrical energy to the X-ray tube 62, but also because ofthe manner in which it is supported, as above described, it serves theadditional purpose of counterbalancing the iluoroscope, which simplifiespositioning and the changing from radiography to iluoroscopy due to thefacility with which such change can be made, regardless of the positionof the table, and also results in appreciable reduction of weight. Also,the apparatus is entirely shockproof so that the danger of accidentalshock to a patient is entirely eliminated, and since there is nomechanical strain on the insulated high voltage cables which wouldotherwise occur due to twisting or kinking, such hazard cannot arise.

It is accordingly obvious to those skilled in the art that aradioiiuoroscopic apparatus is herein provided which is of exceptionallysimple yet eilicient and rugged design. Moreover, since the high voltagetransformer which is essential to the operation of the apparatus isemployed for the additional purpose of a counterweight, the entireweight of the apparatus is thus materially reduced without sacrice ofease of manipulation. To further conserve space, the fluoroscopiccarriage is counterbalanced through a reduction arrangement whichenables the counterweights for the carriage to be moved but a fractionalpart of the distance traveled by the carriage, and also enables theutilization of the same race-way for movement of both the carriage andits counterweight.

Although one specific modification of the present invention has beenherein shown and described, it is to be understood that still furtherembodiments thereof may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A radiographic carriage for X-ray apparatus comprising a supportpivotally connected to said carriage, an X-ray tube assembly pivotallyconnected to the extremity of said pivoted support, a fluorescent screenframe pivotally connected to said support and having a fluorescentscreen pivotally connected thereto, and an electric transformer forsupplying electrical energy to said X- ray tube pivotally connected tosaid fluorescent screen frame to form a counterweight for said frame andthe fluorescent screen carried thereby in all positions thereof aboutits pivot and movable with said fluorescent screen and X-ray tubeassembly about the pivotal connection of said support to said carriage.

2. A radiographic carriage for X-ray apparatus comprising a supportpivotally connected to said carriage, an X-ray tube assembly pivotallyconnected to the extremity of said pivoted support, a fluorescent screenframe pivotally connected to said support and having a fluorescentscreen pivotally connected thereto, and an electric transformer forsupplying electrical energy to said X-ray tube pivotally connected toboth said support and said fluorescent screen frame to form acounterweight for said fluorescent screen and frame and to maintain saidtransformer in a preselected position and movable with said fluorescentscreen and X-ray tube assembly about the pivotal connection of saidsupport to said carriage.

3. A radiographic carriage for X-ray apparatus adapted to be movedlongitudinally and transversely of an examination table comprising asupport pivotally connected to said carriage, an X-ray tube assemblypivotally connected to the extremity of said pivoted support, afluorescent screen frame pivotally connected to said support formovement in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of saidsupport and having a fluorescent screen pivotally connected thereto, andan electric transformer for supplying electrical energy to said X-raytube pivotally connected to both said support and said fluorescentscreen frame to form a counterweight for said fluorescent screen frameand the fluorescent screen carried thereby in all positions about itspivot and to maintain said transformer in a preselected position.

ALFRED SIMMON.

